Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Carl Schurz
President Roosevelt describes his policy for making federal appointments in the South and believes he has been fair.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1904-01-02
Your TR Source
Washington, Booker T., 1856-1915
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lyman Abbott
President Roosevelt describes to Lyman Abbott a recent meeting with Episcopal bishops and clergy, including two African Americans. The two men were received without incident, and Roosevelt finds it odd that he could have these men in the White House without a problem but inspires controversy for dining with Booker T. Washington or appointing an African American in the South. While President, Roosevelt does not recall ever scolding the South, but he feels it would be worse to “let them think that they were blameless.” He also notes that Senator Arthur P. Gorman of Maryland is campaigning “largely on the race issue,” even distributing a campaign button depicting Roosevelt dining with Washington. Gorman has also denounced Roosevelt as “against the business interests,” which leads Roosevelt to believe that the Rockefellers back Gorman as they do mayoral candidate George B. McClellan in New York.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-10-29
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Theodore Roosevelt
Archibald Roosevelt and Quentin Roosevelt are playing with wooden spears and tin shields while Ethel Roosevelt has spent two days in bed threatened by bronchitis. President Roosevelt was amused with the visit of the Episcopal bishops from the South, two of which were African Americans, in light of the uproar that was caused when Booker T. Washington visited the White House. Roosevelt cannot understand how the South can send two African American clergymen to visit but object to a visit from an African American educator or official.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-10-31
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Brander Matthews
President Roosevelt believes that the “race problem” is the greatest concern for the distant future.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-07-11
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Watson Gilder
President Roosevelt complains about the press coverage of his actions relating to African Americans, including the Indianola affair, appointing African Americans, and Roosevelt’s relationship with Booker T. Washington.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-02-07
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Silas McBee
President Roosevelt appreciates Silas McBee’s “earnest and sincere effort” to support him editorially in McBee’s newspaper, The Churchman. Roosevelt defends his appointments in the southern United States, especially the appointment of African Americans. The African American men he has appointed are “of a high grade of excellence” and came with the recommendation of Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt recommends as well several prominent southern men who can speak to the nature of his appointments.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1903-02-03
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lyman Abbott
President Roosevelt thanks Dr. Abbott for the editorials and forwarded his letter to Booker T. Washington, who suggested the appointment of Dr. Crum.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-12-05
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Thomas R. Roulhac
President Roosevelt would like to speak with Judge Roulhac on Alabama issues and suggests that Roulhac consult with Judge Jones, Judge Boyd, and Booker T. Washington.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-10-22
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Stuyvesant Fish
President Roosevelt thanks Stuyvesant Fish for the information on the bear hunt but fears he will be unable to attend due to the Anthracite Coal Strike crisis. Whatever happens, Roosevelt will be traveling to Memphis and hopes to visit Booker T. Washington at Tuskegee as well.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-10-10
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to James Sullivan Clarkson
President Roosevelt agrees with Surveyor Clarkson that it is against the principles of the Republican Party and the government to appoint an improper man simply because he is African American as well as excluding a man because he is African American. Roosevelt would prefer to appoint Rheulach as District Attorney in Alabama.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-09-29
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Francis Bennett Williams
Charles P. Johnston has requested to keep his position until January 1 and has President Roosevelt’s support. Afterwords, Roosevelt intends to replace Johnston with an African American and would like Francis Bennett Williams to discuss possible candidates with Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt would also appreciate Williams’s opinion on who should be appointed postmaster and Internal Revenue Collector.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-06-16
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Philander C. Knox
President Roosevelt would like a position for Mollison in Mississippi. Booker T. Washington vouches for him.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-06-16
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lewis S. Clarke
President Roosevelt informs Lewis S. Clarke that Charles P. Johnston has requested to keep his position until January 1 and has Roosevelt’s support. Afterwords, he intends to replace Johnston with an African American and would like Clarke to discuss possible candidates with Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt would also appreciate Clarke’s opinion on who should be appointed postmaster and Internal Revenue Collector.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-06-16
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Waller Thomas Burns
President Roosevelt would like Judge Burns to treat an enclosed letter as confidential. Roosevelt has confidence in Booker T. Washington and would like to follow his advice when possible.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-04-15
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Ethan Allen Hitchcock
Booker T. Washington has sent three recommendations for the position of register in Arkansas. President Roosevelt asks Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock to have the agents of his department examine each man’s history and determine who should be appointed to replace the unfit incumbent.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1902-03-21
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Albion W. Tourgee
President Roosevelt thanks Consul Tourgee for his kind letter, but admits his invitation to Booker T. Washington was an impulsive decision rather than a calculated one. Although he has not been able to “think out any solution” to the problematic race relations in the United States, Roosevelt feels strongly that each man, white or black, should be treated “strictly on his merits as a man” and that he, as President, should act according to his convictions.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-11-08
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Curtis Guild
President Roosevelt is happy Curtis Guild will be writing about him for Harvard Graduates’ Magazine. Even after the reactions to his dinner with Booker T. Washington, Roosevelt will not be swayed from his policy of appointing the best candidates for positions in the American South.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-10-28
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Henry Cabot Lodge
President Roosevelt explains to Henry Cabot Lodge that he had decided to replace Assistant Secretary of State Thomas W. Cridler with Herbert H. D. Peirce before speaking with Cabot; he mentions the “ferocious” reaction of some to that decision. Roosevelt also discusses southern reaction to his having had Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House, ascribing it to the aggressive spirit of the American South. He states that such attitudes will not cause him to change his appointments.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-10-28
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Richard Randolph McMahon
President Roosevelt thought of John Boyle O’Reilly’s writings and teachings during the outcry against Booker T. Washington having dinner at the White House.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-10-31
Creator(s)
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Lucius Nathan Littauer
President Roosevelt finds the reaction in the South to the Booker T. Washington incident to be “literally inexplicable.” He would not fear to have a man like Washington to dinner if it cost him every political friend he had. Roosevelt met with Governor Odell and does not anticipate any future misunderstandings.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1901-10-24